Surf Forecasts:
Kohala Lighthouse surf forecast from 13 Jul 2026:
- Most powerful swell: Saturday 18 Jul, 5PM (local time) - 7ft (2.1m), 8s period, ENE swell with 533 kJ wave energy.
Best Forecast Surf Conditions for Kohala Lighthouse this week:
The most powerful waves expected at Kohala Lighthouse in the next 16 days are 2.1m 8s and forecast to arrive on Saturday (Jul 18) at 5PM. Winds are predicted to be cross-shore at the time the swell arrives. The largest open ocean swell (not directed at the beach) is 0.3m 15s period and expected on Monday (Jul 13) at 11AM.
| Wave Type | Time (HST) & Date | Wave Height & Period |
|---|---|---|
| Next good surf (1 star+) | - | - |
| Best Surf | - | - |
| Most Powerful | 5PM (Sat 18th Jul) | 7ft (2.1m) 8s |
Table - best surf conditions forecast for Kohala Lighthouse over the next 16 days.
The Lowdown
Alright, Rusty here, looking at the same charts in feet and miles per hour. Let's get into it.
Water temp is 80°, which is just your average for this time of year.
The first couple of weeks are a tough one. The trades are blowing a solid 19 mph from the ENE, and it’s just not letting up. We’re looking at a long stretch of lumpy, cross-chop. The swell is hanging around the 4 to 7 ft mark, but it’s mostly short-period, wind-driven junk from the ENE, with the combined energy reading as moderate. It’s just not going to be clean. It’s a real grind from Monday, July 13th right through until the end of the following week.
Then, things start to get interesting. On Sunday, July 27th, we see a pulse of long-period groundswell from the E, with a period of 15-16 seconds. The combined energy ramps up significantly, hitting strong levels. The problem is, the wind is still cross-onshore, so it’s going to be a choppy mess. Not the one.
But hold on to your boards for Tuesday, July 28th. That’s the window. The wind eases to a 15-16 mph moderate breeze and goes cross-shore. The swell is a solid 7 to 8 ft from the ENE, with a nice long period of 12-13 seconds. The combined energy is massive – very strong. This is proper groundswell. Now, this is an advanced reef break, and with the swell pushing over 8 ft, this is expert territory only. The long period (over 12 seconds) means it will be a bit walled up at the beach, but a reef like this should handle it nicely. The crowds are only "sometimes" an issue, so you might have a bit of space.
That Tuesday, July 28th afternoon is the standout. If you’re an experienced surfer, that’s the session to pencil in. The conditions will be much cleaner, and the energy is going to be pumping.
Rusty.
Short Range ForecastSome drizzle, heaviest during Mon morning. Warm (max 26°C on Wed afternoon, min 24°C on Mon morning). Mainly fresh winds. | Days 4-6 Weather SummaryMostly dry. Warm (max 26°C on Thu morning, min 24°C on Sat night). Mainly fresh winds. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monday 13 | Tuesday 14 | Wednesday 15 | Thursday 16 | Friday 17 | Saturday 18 | Sunday 19 | |||||||||||||||
AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | AM | PM | Night | |
Swell Height Map |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | ||||||||||||||
Wave Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | W 16 | W 16 | W 15 | W 15 | W 15 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
Wave Graph  | |||||||||||||||||||||
 kJ | 347 | 277 | 149 | 186 | 223 | 190 | 236 | 227 | 218 | 209 | 309 | 188 | 281 | 237 | 171 | 371 | 533 | 424 | 418 | 408 | 266 |
Wind (km/h) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Wind State on-shore cross-onshore cross-shore cross-offshore off-shore glassy | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross-off | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross | cross |
High Tide | 3:13PM1.02m | 2:28AM0.40m | 3:54PM1.02m | 3:21AM0.43m | 4:31PM0.98m | 4:14AM0.45m | 5:06PM0.92m | 5:10AM0.48m | 5:38PM0.84m | 6:11AM0.50m | 6:05PM0.74m | 7:21AM0.53m | 6:27PM0.65m | ||||||||
Low Tide | 10:21PM0.24m | 8:22AM-0.03m | 10:55PM0.23m | 9:09AM0.00m | 11:28PM0.21m | 9:54AM0.07m | 00:01AM0.20m | 10:39AM0.16m | 00:32AM0.19m | 11:26AM0.26m | 1:04AM0.19m | 12:21PM0.37m | 1:36AM0.18m | ||||||||
 |  |  |  | | | | | | | | | | | | | |  | | | | |
 | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:50 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — | 5:52 | — | — |
 | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:06 | — | — | 7:05 | — | — | 7:05 | — |
mm | 1 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Temp °C | 24 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 25 |
Feels °C | 22 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
Swell 1 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | SW 15 | SW 14 | NNE 7 | W 17 | W 16 | NE 8 | W 16 | W 15 | NNE 7 | W 15 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | W 14 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | WNW 13 | W 12 | W 12 | NNE 8 |
| kJ | 35 | 33 | 64 | 154 | 137 | 143 | 236 | 227 | 84 | 209 | 153 | 150 | 104 | 101 | 94 | 58 | 57 | 33 | 26 | 11 | 12 |
Swell 2 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 12 | W 12 | W 18 | SW 14 | SW 13 | W 16 | SSW 13 | SSW 13 | W 15 | SW 13 | SW 13 | N 8 | SW 16 | SW 16 | N 7 | SSW 9 | SSW 10 | SW 8 | SW 9 | SW 8 | W 12 |
| kJ | 12 | 12 | 98 | 29 | 28 | 190 | 17 | 18 | 218 | 7 | 6 | 29 | 10 | 10 | 26 | 8 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
Swell 3 Height (m) Direction Period (s) | W 16 | W 19 | SW 14 | SW 19 | SW 19 | E 8 | SW 18 | SW 18 | SW 16 | SW 16 | SW 17 | SSW 15 | SW 12 | SW 12 | SW 10 | SW 15 | SW 14 | SW 14 | SW 13 | SW 20 | SW 8 |
| kJ | 20 | 30 | 32 | 15 | 14 | 28 | 12 | 12 | 39 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 2 |
Wind waves Height (m) Direction Period (s) | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | E 8 | NE 8 | NE 8 | — | ENE 7 | ENE 6 | E 5 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | ENE 6 | E 6 | ENE 7 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 | ENE 8 |
| kJ | 347 | 277 | 149 | 186 | 223 | — | 196 | 208 | 37 | 190 | 309 | 188 | 281 | 237 | 171 | 371 | 533 | 424 | 418 | 408 | 266 |
Nearest Offshore or Glassy | |||||||||||||||||||||
Distance (km) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 5 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 73 | 81 | 69 |
Best forecast wave conditions in Big Island | |||||||||||||||||||||
Best forecast wave conditions in United States | |||||||||||||||||||||
Header Global | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Information about the Kohala Lighthouse Surf forecast
The above surf forecast table for Kohala Lighthouse provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 16 days. A general guide to surfing at Kohala Lighthouse can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Kohala Lighthouse surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Kohala Lighthouse) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Kohala Lighthouse may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Kohala Lighthouse is 87 km (54 miles) from Kihei. If you plan a vacation in Big Island, look for hotels and other accommodation in Kihei. Kihei has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.
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